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Dietary supplement

Coconut Oil Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by DietWorks

Softgel Capsule Category: Botanical With Nutrients
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Coconut Oil is a dietary supplement by DietWorks with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for skin and hair care, source of dietary fats (mcts), hydration with coconut water.Based on those ingredients, 348 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are organic Coconut Oil. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Coconut Oil by DietWorks

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 8 of its 8 active ingredients.
  • “organic Coconut Oil” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (2,000 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

DietWorks Coconut Oil is a softgel capsule containing 8 active ingredients—all fatty acids derived from coconut oil and similar sources. The main players are caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, stearic acid, and linoleic acid.

These are the natural fats that make up coconut oil and give it its potential health effects. The product also contains inactive ingredients (gelatin, medium chain triglycerides, vegetable glycerin, titanium dioxide color, and shell ingredients) that serve as fillers and capsule materials.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: natural source of energy and healthy weight management.
  • We looked for evidence on: Obesity, metabolic health, weight loss, energy metabolism.
  • The closest evidence on file: Oleic Acid is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Obesity (Natural Medicines).

The evidence for coconut oil and its fatty acids is limited. Oleic acid—one of the active ingredients—is possibly effective for lowering cholesterol and supporting heart health, based on preliminary research.

Caprylic acid and lauric acid have been studied for conditions like epilepsy, essential tremor, bronchitis, and herpes, but the evidence is too weak or sparse to rate them as effective. We simply don't have enough reliable data to say whether this product will deliver the results you're hoping for.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Coconut Caprylic Acid Lauric Acid Oleic Acid

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 2 of the 3 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 3 of 3.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 3 of 3.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Caprylic acid is generally well tolerated in the short term, though some people report mild abdominal discomfort, changes in taste, dizziness, headache, and fatigue. Lauric acid may cause nausea, especially at higher doses.

Because lauric acid is a saturated fat, large amounts in your diet will raise both LDL (bad) and HDL (good) cholesterol, though it doesn't appear to raise triglycerides. The ingredients here occur naturally in food, but supplement-level doses aren't as well studied, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting if you have any health conditions or concerns.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding safety data is incomplete—lauric acid is rated likely safe in pregnancy, but caprylic acid and oleic acid lack firm safety profiles for these periods.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Coconut Caprylic Acid Lauric Acid Oleic Acid

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 2 of the 3 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Caprylic Acid, Oleic Acid.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 348 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you use antihypertensive drugs (blood pressure medications), warfarin or other blood thinners, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or diabetes medications. Caprylic acid may lower blood pressure further and increase drug levels in your system; oleic acid may boost diabetes medication effects.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

DietWorks Coconut Oil is a blend of fatty acids found naturally in coconut. If you take blood pressure medications, blood thinners, NSAIDs, or diabetes drugs, you need to check your exact medications with your pharmacist or doctor before starting this product.

The evidence that it works for most claims is weak. Talk it over with your own healthcare provider to decide whether it's right for you.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 3 of 8 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 23, 2014.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Coconut Oil, straight from the product label.

Brand DietWorks
Barcode (UPC) 035046081799
Net contents 90 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 23, 2014
DSLD ID 33131
Product type Botanical With Nutrients
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Coconut Oil by DietWorks, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2 Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Softgel(s)
Servings per container
45
UPC/BARCODE
035046081799
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories25 {Calories}--
Stearic Acid16 mg--
Calories from Fat25 {Calories}--
Total Fat2.5 Gram(s)4%
Protein1 Gram(s)1%
Saturated Fat2.5 Gram(s)12%
Caprylic Acid92 mg--
Capric Acid80 mg--
Lauric Acid880 mg--
Linoleic Acid16 mg--
Oleic Acid100 mg--
Palmitic Acid120 mg--
Myristic Acid260 mg--
organic Coconut Oil2000 mg--

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Vegetable Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide color, Shell Ingredients

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

DIRECTIONS: FOR ADULTS, TAKE 2 SOFTGELS DAILY, PREFERABLY WITH A MEAL AS A DIETARY SUPPLEMENT.

Precautions

-Keep out of reach of children.

-Do not use if inner seal is broken.

Storage

-Store at 15-30(0)C (59-86(0)F). -Protect from heat, light and moisture.

General Statements

- Natural Source of Energy - Rich in MCT's

ORGANIC VIRGIN OIL

HEALTHY WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formula

100% ORGANIC COCONUT OIL - 2000 mg Per Serving

Brand IP Statement(s)

(C) 2013 CopyrightDietWorks(TM) All rights reserved.

General

ITEM# N8179

Seals/Symbols

Made in the U.S.A.

See for yourself

Coconut Oil by DietWorks label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Coconut Oil by DietWorks

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container45 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Protein

1 Gram(s) per serving

Organic Coconut Oil

Interacts with
86 drugs
2000 mg per serving

Coconut is a nutritious tropical food enjoyed as oil, water, milk, and flesh, and it is generally safe to eat in normal food amounts. While some uses...

Organic Coconut Oil monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Gelatin, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Vegetable Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide color, Shell Ingredients. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Coconut Oil by DietWorks Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Coconut Oil?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
348Drugs
348 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Coconut Oil with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

organic Coconut Oil1 drug type · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking coconut with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Animal research suggests that coconut milk might increase insulin levels and/or decrease blood glucose levels.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Coconut Oil, from the product label.

DietWorks

See all DietWorks products
Name
DietWorks
Street Address
6 Henderson Drive
City
West Caldwell
State
NJ
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Coconut Oil by DietWorks: Common Questions

Does Coconut Oil by DietWorks interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Coconut Oil has a known interaction with 348 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Coconut Oil contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take DietWorks Coconut Oil if I'm pregnant?
The safety data is mixed. Lauric acid is rated likely safe in pregnancy, but caprylic acid and oleic acid don't have enough safety information. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you during pregnancy.
Is it safe to use while breastfeeding?
Some of these fatty acids (like lauric acid) occur naturally in breast milk, but we don't have solid safety data for concentrated supplement doses while nursing. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.
What side effects might I experience?
Most people tolerate it well, but mild abdominal discomfort, nausea, changes in taste, dizziness, headache, and fatigue have been reported. These tend to be mild and short-lived.
Does this product actually work for weight loss or heart health?
Oleic acid is possibly effective for cholesterol and heart health, but the evidence for the other ingredients is too weak to rate. This product hasn't been proven to work for weight loss.
Why are there so many inactive ingredients if this is just coconut oil?
The inactive ingredients are fillers, binders, and capsule materials—they help keep the softgel stable and make it easier to swallow. They're not active agents in the product.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Coconut Oil is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Coconut Oil label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Coconut Oil's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 42 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Caprylic Acid 5 references
  1. Massolini G, Aubry AF, McGann A, Wainer IW. Determination of the magnitude and enantioselectivity of ligand binding to rat and rabbit serum albumins using immobilized-protein high performance liquid chromatography stationary phases. Biochem Pharmacol 1993 PubMed
  2. Kristev A, Mitkov D, Lukanov Y, Chapkynov P. The effect of octanoic fatty acid on the cardiovascular system of the guinea pig. Cor Vasa 1989;31(4):321-7.
  3. Hayball PF, Holman JW, Nation RL. Influence of octanoic acid on the reversible protein binding of ketorolac enantiomers to human serum albumin (HSA): comparative liquid chromatographic studies using a HSA chiral stationary phase. J Chromatogr B Biomed App PubMed
  4. Noctor TA, Wainer IW, Hage DS. Allosteric and competitive displacement of drugs from human serum albumin by octanoic acid, as revealed by high-performance liquid affinity chromatography, on a human serum albumin-based stationary phase. J Chromatogr 1992;5 PubMed
  5. Voller B, Lines E, McCrossin G, et al. Dose-escalation study of octanoic acid in patients with essential tremor. J Clin Invest. 2016;126(4):1451-7. PubMed

See these in context on the Caprylic Acid monograph →

Lauric Acid 8 references
  1. Brown KE, Leong K, Huang CH, et al. Gelatin/chondroitin 6-sulfate microspheres for the delivery of therapeutic proteins to the joint. Arthritis Rheum 1998;41:2185-95. PubMed
  2. de Roos N, Schouten E, Katan M. Consumption of a solid fat rich in lauric acid results in a more favorable serum lipid profile in healthy men and women than consumption of a solid fat rich in trans-fatty acids. J Nutr 2001;131;242-5. PubMed
  3. Temme EH, Mensink RP, Hornstra G. Comparison of the effects of diets enriched in lauric, palmitic, or oleic acids on serum lipids and lipoproteins in healthy women and men. Am J Clin Nutr 1996;63:897-903. PubMed
  4. Denke MA, Grundy SM. Comparison of effects of lauric acid and palmitic acid on plasma lipids and lipoproteins. Am J Clin Nutr 1992;56:895-8. PubMed
  5. Tholstrup T, Marckmann P, Vessby B, Sandstrom B. Effect of fats high in individual saturated fatty acids on plasma lipoprotein[a] levels in young healthy men. J Lipid Res 1995;36;1447-52. DOI
  6. Francois CA, Connor SL, Wander RC, Connor WE. Acute effects of dietary fatty acids on the fatty acids of human milk. Am J Clin Nutr 1998;67:301-8. PubMed
  7. Tholstrup T, Marckmann P, Jespersen J, Sandstrom B. Fat high in stearic acid favorably affects blood lipids and factor VII coagulant activity in comparison with fats high in palmitic acid or high in myristic and lauric acids. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59:371-7. PubMed
  8. McVeay C, Fitzgerald PCE, Ullrich SS, Steinert RE, Horowitz M, Feinle-Bisset C. Effects of intraduodenal administration of lauric acid and L-tryptophan, alone and combined, on gut hormones, pyloric pressures, and energy intake in healthy men. Am J Clin Nu PubMed

See these in context on the Lauric Acid monograph →

Oleic Acid 19 references
  1. Madigan C, Ryan M, Owens D, et al. Dietary unsaturated fatty acids in type 2 diabetes: higher levels of postprandial lipoprotein on a linoleic acid-rich sunflower oil diet compared with an oleic acid-rich olive oil diet. Diabetes Care 2000;23:1472-7. PubMed
  2. Gillingham, L. G., Gustafson, J. A., Han, S. Y., Jassal, D. S., and Jones, P. J. High-oleic rapeseed (canola) and flaxseed oils modulate serum lipids and inflammatory biomarkers in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. Br J Nutr 2011;105(3):417-427. PubMed
  3. Jones PJ, Senanayake VK, Pu S, Jenkins DJ, Connelly PW, Lamarche B, Couture P, Charest A, Baril-Gravel L, West SG, Liu X, Fleming JA, McCrea CE, Kris-Etherton PM. DHA-enriched high-oleic acid canola oil improves lipid profile and lowers predicted cardiova
  4. Cater, N. B., Heller, H. J., and Denke, M. A. Comparison of the effects of medium-chain triacylglycerols, palm oil, and high oleic acid sunflower oil on plasma triacylglycerol fatty acids and lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in humans. Am.J Clin.Nutr PubMed
  5. Mozaffarian D, Clarke R. Quantitative effects on cardiovascular risk factors and coronary heart disease risk of replacing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils with other fats and oils. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2009;63(Suppl 2):S22-33. PubMed
  6. Cao Y, Hou L, Wang W. Dietary total fat and fatty acids intake, serum fatty acids and risk of breast cancer: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Int J Cancer. 2016;138(8):1894-904. doi: 10.1002/ijc.29938. PubMed
  7. FDA completes review of qualified health claim petition for oleic acid and the risk of coronary heart disease. November 2018. Available at: www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ConstituentUpdates/ucm624758.htm. Accessed January 25, 2019.
  8. Liu X, Kris-Etherton PM, West SG, et al. Effects of canola and high-oleic-acid canola oils on abdominal fat mass in individuals with central obesity. Obesity. 2016;24(11):2261-2268. PubMed
  9. Bowen KJ, Kris-Etherton PM, West SG, et al. Diets enriched with conventional or high-oleic acid canola oils lower atherogenic lipids and lipoproteins compared to a diet with a western fatty acid profile in adults with central adiposity. J Nutr. 2019;149(3 PubMed
  10. Steffen BT, Duprez D, Szklo M, Guan W, Tsai MY. Circulating oleic acid levels are related to greater risks of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. J Clin Lipidol. 2018;12(6):1404-1412. PubMed
  11. Banim PJ, Luben R, Khaw KT, Hart AR. Dietary oleic acid is inversely associated with pancreatic cancer - Data from food diaries in a cohort study. Pancreatology. 2018;18(6):655-660. PubMed
  12. Morin SJ, Gaziano JM, Djoussé L. Relation between plasma phospholipid oleic acid and risk of heart failure. Eur J Nutr. 2018;57(8):2937-2942. PubMed
  13. Samieri C, Féart C, Proust-Lima C, et al. Olive oil consumption, plasma oleic acid, and stroke incidence: the Three-City Study. Neurology. 2011;77(5):418-25. PubMed
  14. Compher CW, Kinosian BP, Rubesin SE, Ratcliffe SJ, Metz DC. Energy absorption is reduced with oleic acid supplements in human short bowel syndrome. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2009;33(1):102-8. PubMed
  15. Ben Fradj MK, Ouanes Y, Hadj-Taieb S, et al. Decreased oleic acid and marine n?-?3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in Tunisian patients with urothelial bladder cancer. Nutr Cancer. 2018;70(7):1043-1050.
  16. de Silva PS, Luben R, Shrestha SS, Khaw KT, Hart AR. Dietary arachidonic and oleic acid intake in ulcerative colitis etiology: a prospective cohort study using 7-day food diaries. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014;26(1):11-8. PubMed
  17. Higashi K, Shige H, Ito T, et al. Effect of a low-fat diet enriched with oleic acid on postprandial lipemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lipids. 2001;36(1):1-6. PubMed
  18. Lin HC, van Citters GW, Heimer F, Bonorris G. Slowing of gastrointestinal transit by oleic acid: a preliminary report of a novel, nutrient-based treatment in humans. Dig Dis Sci. 2001;46(2):223-9. PubMed
  19. Li D, Tong Y, Li Y. Associations between dietary oleic acid and linoleic acid and depressive symptoms in perimenopausal women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Nutrition. 2020 Mar;71:110602. PubMed

See these in context on the Oleic Acid monograph →

Coconut 10 references
  1. Teuber SS, Peterson WR. Systemic allergic reaction to coconut (Cocos nucifera) in 2 subjects with hypersensitivity to tree nut and demonstration of cross-reactivity to legumin-like seed storage proteins: new coconut and walnut food allergens. J Allergy Cl PubMed
  2. Rosado A, Fernandez-Rivas M, Gonzalez-Mancebo E, et al. Anaphylaxis to coconut. Allergy 2002;57(2):182-3. PubMed
  3. Karmakar PR, Das A, Chatterjee BP. Placebo-controlled immunotherapy with Cocos nucifera pollen extract. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 1994;103(2):194-201. PubMed
  4. Anagnostou K. Coconut Allergy Revisited. Children (Basel). 2017;4(10). pii: E85. PubMed
  5. Cifuentes L, Mistrello G, Amato S, et al. Identification of cross-reactivity between buckwheat and coconut. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2015;115(6):530-2. PubMed
  6. Michavila Gomez A, Amat Bou M, Gonzalez Cortés MV, Segura Navas L, Moreno Palanques MA, Bartolomé B. Coconut anaphylaxis: Case report and review. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2015;43(2):219-20. PubMed
  7. 21CFR170.3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration Department of Health and Human Services. Updated April 1, 2017. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=170.3
  8. Alatawi KA, Alshubaily FA. Coconut products alleviate hyperglycaemic, hyperlipidimic and nephropathy indices in streptozotocin-induced diabetic wistar rats. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2021;28(8):4224-4231. PubMed
  9. Kruse L, Lor J, Yousif R, Pongracic JA, Fishbein AB. Coconut allergy: Characteristics of reactions and diagnostic predictors in a pediatric tertiary care center. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2021;126(5):562-568.
  10. Pathmanandavel K, Kaur N, Joshi P, Ford LS. Anaphylaxis and allergy to coconut: An Australian pediatric case series. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2020;8(10):3657-3659. PubMed

See these in context on the Coconut monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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